Diddy’s Lawyers Say CNN Manipulated Cassie Ventura Assault Footage
Sean “Diddy” Combs is pushing back against a disturbing video released by CNN, which appears to show him assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hotel hallway. His lawyers claim the footage was edited and manipulated, while CNN insists it remains unaltered.
The video, released on May 17, 2024, captures a shocking altercation that allegedly took place on March 5, 2016, at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. The footage shows Cassie, now 38, exiting a hotel room and heading toward an elevator when Diddy, wearing a white towel and socks, chases after her. He is seen grabbing her by the neck, throwing her to the floor, and violently kicking her while taking her purse and suitcase.
As Cassie lay motionless, Diddy kicked her again and dragged her before walking away. Moments later, he picked up an object from a table and threw it in her direction. The confrontation continued until an elevator door opened and another person stepped out. The video appears to align with allegations Ventura made in a lawsuit she filed in November 2023, which has since been settled.
Reacting to the footage, Cassie’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, praised her bravery, saying, “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
Diddy addressed the incident in an apology video on May 19, 2024. “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” he admitted. “Disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for His mercy and grace. I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to be a better man. Each and every day.”
However, in a legal filing on March 13, Diddy’s attorneys accused CNN of tampering with the footage. They alleged that CNN obtained the only known copy of the surveillance video, edited it using free software, and then destroyed the original. “All CNN video footage was substantially altered in significant respects,” the letter to Judge Arun Subramanian states. It claims CNN removed the time stamp, changed the sequence of events, and sped up the video to make Diddy’s actions appear more aggressive.
A CNN spokesperson refuted these claims, stating, “CNN never altered the video and did not destroy the original copy of the footage, which was retained by the source. CNN aired the story about the video several months before Combs was arrested.”
Douglas dismissed Diddy’s legal argument, saying, “It is not surprising that Combs would make a disingenuous argument to exclude the disturbing video from being shown to the jury. I am confident that the video fairly and accurately represents what happened, will be admitted into evidence, and that Combs will be held accountable for his depravity.”
Diddy’s legal team declined to comment further, but the filing notes that the matter will be addressed in an upcoming motion. The government has also been given access to subpoenaed materials to prepare a response to Combs’ defense.
The music mogul, now 55, is currently being held at MDC-Brooklyn while awaiting his eight-week trial, set to begin on May 5. In September 2024, he was charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
